If you've been on my website or YouTube channel at all lately, you've noticed a definite trend: I'm talking ALL THINGS PIANO METHOD BOOKS! I guess it's just been on my mind a lot lately as I gear up for the school year and put in some bulk book orders. (Am I the only one who does this?) Sticking With What Works vs Trying Something NewSo, what's more successful for student retention and engagement... A. Sticking with the same piano method book series with every student for years, or B. Trying out new piano method books regularly and experimenting? This was the question spinning in my mind as I prepared to write/talk about piano method books! While I don't have all the answers, I do unpack this topic a bit in this blog post (and YouTube video) about my go-to piano method book series:
And for what it's worth, here's my two cents on the Old vs New question... We do our students a disservice when we lean to far in either direction. Sticking with the same, old piano method series is good because you know the series really well and you can teach it really well and you KNOW it works. But you run the risk of missing out on a great resource if you ignore all other series and new releases. Regularly experimenting and trying new piano books is good because it keeps things fresh and you never miss out on something spectacular or perfectly designed for your students. But you run the risk of a disjointed music education if you hop around too much. So, my teacher friend, whether you're just beginning your teaching journey or well-established as a pro piano teacher, I hope you find fresh inspiration and encouragement in this month's piano method book blog posts! Peace & Piano, Phoenix [The Tattooed Piano Teacher] P.S. - Comment on either the blog post or YouTube video to let me know what piano method books YOU use or plan to try out! I love hearing what is working for others. <3 P.P.S. - I'm still working on some more in-depth piano method book review videos so stay tuned! Are you subscribed to my YouTube channel? I would love it if you joined me over there!! |
...those old orange, gold and brown covers? Alfred Publishing knew it was time for something new! All ALL-STAR Cast of Composers A few years ago, Alfred Publishing put together an all-star team of pedagogy experts to create a whole new piano method book series. If you still haven't checked out Alfred's Premier Piano Course, you may want to give it a chance! Blog Post and Video: Alfred Premier Piano Course Review In some ways it is similar to Faber Piano Adventures, but with some unique...
I remember the first time I saw a mention of the Wunderkeys piano method books online years ago. I thought it looked interesting but I didn't bite. Until... Working Wunderkeys into my regular piano method rotation I had a student at the intermediate level who wasn't interested in "the usual" method series. I needed something unique for him. And Wunderkeys Intermediate books were just the thing! I fell in love with these books and then eventually tried out the Primer level books, and finally...